A Level in English Literature

Programme and course content for AS and A2 (summary of the units / topics)

Love through the Ages

The aim of this topic area is to encourage students to explore aspects of a central literary theme as seen over time, using unseen material and set texts. At AS level students will study four texts: one Shakespeare play, one poetry anthology and two prose

texts. They will also respond to an unseen prose extract in the examination.

Although not an exhaustive list of aspects of Love through the Ages, areas that can usefully be explored include: romantic love of many kinds; love and sex; love and loss; social conventions and taboos; love through the ages according to history and time; love through the ages according to individual lives (young love, maturing love); jealousy and guilt; truth and deception; proximity and distance; marriage; approval and disapproval.

Within this two year course you will study units which include :

• A Shakespeare play
• Love poetry
• Prose
• War literature
• Modern day literature
• Critical comparative study

The course will be delivered through a variety of different learning styles with preparation for exams at AS and exams and coursework at A2.

5 GCSEs at 4 or above including: English Language at 6 or above and Mathematics at 4 or above.

Course availability is at the discretion of the Sixth Form Team.

With an A-level English Literature the world of universities is open to you. Nearly all the top universities have English Literature courses, such as Manchester University, York University, Sheffield University and Newcastle University. However, an English A-level can also lead you into other courses such as Creative Writing, Journalism, Law, Media, Advertising and teaching just to name just a few.

Examples of universities / courses that students from Sirius Academy Sixth Form have progressed to include after completing an English A-level:

Hull University: Creative Writing

Hull University: Law

Manchester University: History